Universal Celtic
A bold and original deck, the Universal Celtic Tarot invites Readers to enter the fascinating world of the ancient Celts.
The Natural Connection
Cards based on Celtic myths encourage us to search for a harmonious connection between human and natural dimensions.
While modern society suffers because of its distance from the natural order, ancient people had a more instinctive and spiritually profound relationship with nature and the environment. This is why Celtic Tarot cards take their inspiration from the myths, legends and beliefs of the ancient Celts.
Some 3,000 years ago, the Celts lived in a vast area that stretched from Turkey to northern Spain, passing through the Po Valley in Italy and France, and extending as far as Scotland and Ireland. Following Germanic and Slavic invasions, the Celts gradually retreated to the west or were absorbed by new tribes. Despite this, their culture never completely disappeared.
Many of these festivals to be found in the Christian calendar, such as May Day and All Saints' Day (Beltane and Samhain respectively), are in fact ancient Celtic festivals. However, most of our information about Celtic culture comes from Irish and Welsh literature, which has preserved this fascinating heritage of myths and legends.
Exploring Meaning
The Universal Celtic Tarot is an example of a deck that acquires meaning and energy through cultural parallels. For those who don't know much about the Celts, this deck will allow them to explore it.
The cards themselves become a guide to this world, which may seem incongruous to modern individuals.
As the Celtic myths become more familiar, Readers will find new nuances and meanings in the cards. The images will help them feel in tune with ancient values - harmony with nature, courage, freedom and the ability to accept pain and violence without being crushed by them. The intuition of Reader and Querent is captured by the images and transported to an ancient way of thinking and living.
Land of Possibilities
The cards of the Universal Celtic Tarot depict an unspoilt land, where nature reigns. Its inhabitants belong to various races - humans, the Shi, the Little People and talking vegetation such as Ents and green men. All are immersed in an atmosphere that makes magic possible and natural. Each one bears the signs of this kind of magic.
In the imagery, you will spot Ogham signs (Celtic script), Triskells (Celtic spirals) and the Awen (symbol of creativity), each of which represents strength. Dagda's cauldron, which can satisfy all hunger, is the Ace of Cups, while the Eight of Swords is Blodeuwedd, the woman made of flowers created by two wizards. The Wheel symbolises the metamorphoses of the goddess Ceridwen while chasing Gwion, as each one of us is changing matter.
The cards in this deck originate from legends, but they are also stories in which we can see ourselves. It is an ancient wisdom that we can rediscover within our subconscious, if we put our trust in the cards and view them with our inner eye.
To understand the Universal Celtic Tarot, we need to connect with nature, leave artifice behind us and look for simplicity. The images will flow freely as we lay the cards on the table and become part of them - signs drawn on the bark of the tree that holds up the world.
The Celtic Cross
A good place to start with the Universal Celtic deck is with the Celtic Cross Spread.
This ten-card Spread was first published by AE Waite in 1909 and remains one of the most popular Spreads in use today, thanks to its balance of simplicity and depth.
The Spread gets its name from the fact that the first six cards are placed in a pattern that resembles the Celtic Cross. These cards provide the Reader with a concise overview of the Querent's situation and a portrait of their life.
The final four cards, meanwhile, provide psychological insights that may affect the Querent's ability yo deal effectively with the matter at hand.
Sacrifices
Interpreting the Celtic World
It isn't necessary to have a deep knowledge of the world of Celtic myth and culture in order to use this Tarot deck with the Celtic Sacrifice Spread.
You can of course rely on your own intuitive response to the cards' rich imagery alongside the traditional meanings. Readers who wish to go deeper, however, will find a wealth of characters, animals, objects and symbols from Celtic culture in the illustrations on the cards.
Each of the characters depicted in the Arcana of the Universal Celtic Tarot can be seen through a double perspective. On the one hand, they represent a god or the Anthropomorphic incarnation of a concept.
For example, Cu Chulainn is the greatest Irish Celtic warrior hero, who got his name after killing an enormous guard dog with his bare hands as a child. He represents both the ability to go into battle using his inhuman powers and the possibility of inspiring others with his strength. However, the character can also be considered an ordinary man from ancient times, no different from many others, but whose deeds gave rise to an enduring myth. In this case, a card should be looked at considering the character depicted as a person, with his good and bad points, not as a mythological figure.
In several cards of the Universal Celtic Tarot, we see different aspects of Cu Chulainn's persona. In the Ten of Swords, for example, he has tied himself to a rock in order to fight to the bitter end. Meanwhile, in The Lovers, he is torn between two women - his wife Emer and his lover Fand. Then in the Chariot, we see him in warrior guise, riding headlong into terrible battles on his chariot. He must hold on tightly to the reins during the charge of his horses will steer him away into defeat.
Cultural Decks
The Universal Celtic Tarot is an example of a cultural deck.
These typically bridge the gap between traditional archetypes and the collective imagination, creating a mirror that reflects the world around us. Reading with these decks takes us on a fascinating journey of discovery, allowing us to consider Tarot symbolism through a particular cultural lens.
Other examples of cultural decks include Mayan Tarot, the Tarot of the Celtic Fairies and Universal Fantasy Tarot.
The Cups
The Pentacles
The Wands
The Swords
Updated
29 January 2025 at 22:03:59